Senator Chuck Grassley released the following statement after the Chairwoman of the Senate Agriculture Committee today released her “mark” that will be the baseline for debate when the committee begins consideration of the bill on Tuesday. The bill includes payment limit reforms proposed by Grassley. Click here for information about Grassley’s payment limits reform package that he introduced in the Senate. Click here for information about the support for Grassley’s provisions during the budget debate.

“I appreciate Chairwoman Stabenow’s continued commitment to farm program payments reform. When two-thirds of the farm payments go to the wealthiest 10 percent of farmers and there are loopholes that allow farm payments to go to non-farmers, Americans lose confidence that we’re using taxpayer money responsibly. By including my reforms, Chairwoman Stabenow is putting forward a mark that is defensible and effective in this area.

“I was also pleased to see Congressman Fortenberry introduce companion legislation to my payment limits reform bill in the House today. As the House Agriculture Committee considers a farm bill it would send a strong message if the House included the common sense and meaningful payment limit reforms in Congressman Fortenberry’s bill and that Senator Stabenow has included in her mark.”